Chapter 105

Robinson Park is one of the few landmarks in this damn city.

It's in one of Gotham's poorest areas, which means that drug addicts, prostitutes, and thieves are most likely to be there at this time of night.

The homeless know that staying here at night will bring them bad luck.

The park has no cameras and is pretty small. There is a small lake in the middle with dirty water.

A few trees are spread out around the park, but there are no flowers there—just well-kept grass with trash all around it.

Dio knew this place very well since it was in this park that he began his career as a thief, and it was also where he hid some extra money he earned from those thefts.

"You sure know how to pick a meeting place, Robin."

Dio said to Robin, then took a bite of the hamburger they bought on the way here.

"That diner is the only one in Gotham that serves something decent, and believe me, that means a lot in this city."

Robin said and drank from his soda.

They're both sitting at one of the wooden picnic tables in the park, one of the relatively cleaner spots with a view of the entire area.

"That explains why they didn't freak out when we walked through the front door; you're a regular customer."

"After a long night of patrolling, there's nothing better than a burger, fries, and soda."

"I won't deny it; the taste is excellent."

"How are your hands?"

Robin asked while grabbing several fries and tossing them into his mouth.

Dio put his burger on the table and raised his hands to inspect the bandages Robin had given them.

"Using two curses in a row isn't ideal, but I'll be fine after some time."

They bother him a bit, but luckily, Dio won't use them for any delicate jobs.

Robin nodded and then put his food and drink aside while standing still and looking forward, more serious than ever.

"What's up?"

Dio asked with concern while looking around and using his senses to see if something was wrong.

"I have to ask something."

Robin began while still not looking at him.

"You can ask."

"What's going on between you and Starfire?"

Robin asked in a low voice.

It was a serious question, but it wasn't what Dio was expecting to hear in a place like this.

Dio had to make an effort not to laugh at Robin, who was beside him.

It does make sense now that Dio has thought about it.

Robin showed a lot of interest in her since he met her, but after a while, he started to distance himself.

Thinking about it, they became friends around the same time.

"We're just friends."

Dio replied firmly.

"Just friends, my ass. I saw you two training, and Wally has often said that a man can't be just friends with a woman!"

Dick exploded while looking at him.

"Are you really taking romantic advice from Wally?"

They say love makes us blind and stupid.

Dick finally stopped to think about what he had said and looked back. He might have felt ashamed of how careless he appeared, but Dio enjoyed it.

It takes a lot to make someone trained by Batman show so much emotion.

"I'm serious, Robin. We're just friends, with no physical attraction between us."

"That's nonsense!"

Robin shouted.

"No, I mean, there's no sentimental attraction between us, at least not of the romantic kind. I give you my word."

Dio's words seemed to carry some weight as he relaxed a bit.

"So..."

Robin spoke more quietly.

"So what?"

Dio asked.

"Do you have any tips to give me?"

A tip?

The girl is oddly straightforward; no matter how complicated Dio's tip is, it will probably backfire.

So, only one thing comes to mind.

"Just be direct about what you want."

"Direct? That's it?"

Robin asked in confusion, not believing him.

"When I say be direct, I mean brutally direct. Don't beat around the bush or send slightly hidden signals; she won't get them. She'll probably think you want to patrol or just eat if you ask her out by yourself."

"How brutally direct? That doesn't make sense!"

"She's literally from another planet; throw logic out the window."

"Sigh!"

Robin sighed while putting his hand to his head.

"If I were you, I would just ask her to train and tell her how you feel about her afterward, preferably after the workout. That's when she's a bit calmer. Try to hold out until then."

"Please, I'm the best fighter among us."

Robin said it confidently.

No, he's not.

But Dio will let him figure that out later during the training against her.

"Is it still a long way for them to arrive?"

Dio asked while taking a sip of his drink and continuing to eat.

"Three minutes. Let's eat a bit faster; I don't want Kid stealing our fries. I hate it when he does that."

"Damn super speed."

They resumed eating in silence until Robin said, "Dio, thanks."

There was no need for a response.

While they ate silently and waited for the rest of the team, the Titans' car slowly descended in front of them.

"DIOOOOO!"

Koriand'r couldn't wait and jumped out of the vehicle while flying like a rocket in Dio's direction.

Dio knew what was going to happen.

He placed his drink on the table just in time for her body to hit him and knock him to the ground.

"I missed you!"

Koriand'r said while hugging him tightly enough to break the spine of a normal human.

"I missed you too."

Dio replied and hugged her.

Dio tried not to blush under Robin's gaze, feeling her breasts pressing against his armor.

"Come on, get up; there's food for you."

"Food!"

Koriand'r exclaimed and stood up with still posing on his waist.

Koriand'r levitated, stood up, and gave him her hand to help him up as well.

"Let's eat while I listen to the tale of your brave adventures."

Koriand'r request was made while eyeing one of the three bags full of food on the table where Dio was sitting a moment ago.

The food distribution is as follows: one bag for Koriand'r, one for Wally, and the other for the rest of the group, who eat like normal people.

The girl was already sitting down at the table and was eager to open her food. Robin also sat in front of her with his back to the group while staying silent.

"Hello, Kaldur'ahm, how was the mission?"

Kaldur'ahm just got out of the vehicle and shook Dio's hand, which he shook.

"A success, all those involved are arrested."

Kaldur'ahm recounted.

"And the rescued women—that's the most important part!"

When Wally yelled, he was already sitting next to Koriand'r and opening his own food.

"Let's eat."

Dio said to Kaldur, who nodded and sat next to Robin.

Dio felt small hands touching himself and lifting them.

Raven looked closely at the palms of his hands while wearing her purple cloak. He could feel some of her magical energy covering them.

"You went overboard."

Raven said.

"The situation sometimes calls for it."

Dio explained.

Raven nodded and let go of his hands to sit with the others.

Roy also sat down shortly after, staying silent and not giving Dio a greeting as always.

"What are you waiting for? Come on, tell us the story of your epic adventure!"

Koriand'r requested. It was a bit difficult to understand what she said, as she had two burgers in each hand while eating them together.

"I'm curious too."

When Wally asked, he had already finished half of his food.

"I'm quite curious too, my friend."

Kaldur'ahm wanted to hear his story.

"Alright, I'll tell you."

Dio said this to them, sitting down and picking up what was left of his fries.

...

"Wait, wait, you have a sister who is a goddess?"

After telling Dio's brief adventure, Wally's only question is about the person.

"She is my half-sister, Melinoë, the goddess of ghosts."

Dio replied patiently.

"What is she like?"

Wally asked next.

"God."

"I'll need more details."

Wally asked again.

"You won't get them."

"I'm a bit surprised about the jewels; is the place really that rich?"

Robin asked while finishing Wally's turn.

Dio raised his hand and conjured something from his ectoplasm, a small green emerald.

"Tell me for yourself,"

Dio said, and he put the stone on the table.

Robin picked it up and examined it closely.

"It's real!"

Robin gave the verdict.

He was glad he wasn't stupid because he had never learned how to tell if a stone was real.

It would have been embarrassing if Dio had picked up worthless underworld stones, thinking they were valuable.

"Your conjuration spell is interesting; teach me later."

Raven requested that she be the only one still eating, as she was also the only one with some manners at the table.

"Let me see!"

Wally took the emerald from Robin's hand and held it against the light from the nearby lamppost.

"It doesn't look that expensive."

Wally said.

"It's worth about a thousand dollars."

Wally dropped the jewel on the table.

"Enough of that; let's talk about the mission!"

Roy spoke for the first time since he arrived.